Put the knife strip on the wall and the pot rack over the island or sink

The best technique is to mount the magnetic knife strip on a wall beside your stove and hang the pot rack over your island or sink, where it won’t block light or movement.

The magnetic strip gets your knives off the counter and into the one spot you actually use them — right next to your cutting board. Mount it on a wall or backsplash, not inside a cabinet (that defeats the purpose). Keep it at eye level so you’re not reaching over food or hot pans.

The pot rack should go where it won’t hit heads or block your view. Over a kitchen island is ideal if you have one. If not, over the sink works too — that space is usually wasted vertical air anyway. Hang only the pots you use at least once a week. Store the rest nested in a cabinet.

Together, these two moves clear your entire counter of bulky knife blocks and tangled pot handles. You gain back workspace and